Formations successfully challenged perceptions of architecture
Coming to a close on Sunday 25 November, the 13th International Architecture Exhibition – Common Ground, curated by David Chipperfield, experienced a daily average of more than 2000 patrons taking final visitor figures to 178,000, an increase of 4.7 per cent compared to the last Architecture Biennale in 2010.
Formations, devised by Creative Directors Anthony Burke and Gerard Reinmuth with TOKO Concept Design, showcased six innovative architectural groups that inspired discussion and debate around the changing role of architects and the ways in which they influence the world around them in response to new economic, social and cultural challenges.
‘The Formations exhibition drew attention to, and applauded the incredible breadth and reach of diverse architectural approaches. It exposed the work many Australian Architects are doing beyond architecture in that traditional sense… significant work which extends our contribution to this place – our world – and to people’s lives,’ observed Shelley Penn, Australian Institute of Architects National President.
The six featured teams were Healthabitat, Supermanoeuvre (Dave Pigram, Iain Maxwell, Chris Duffield), Richard Goodwin Pty Ltd (Richard Goodwin), 2112Ai 100YR City (Tom Kovac, Fleur Watson), The Architects Radio Show (Stuart Harrison, Simon Knott, Christine Philips, Rory Hyde), and Archrival (Claire McCaughan, Lucy Humphrey).
The team’s installations and concepts included a robotically fabricated structure, roaming radio broadcast, humanitarian architecture work, a zip-line, sculptural Foosball tables, and a digital depiction of futuristic urban visions.
Major international design media were drawn to the exhibition in the Australian Pavilion for its dynamic display and in-depth themes, with coverage appearing in prestigious publications including World Architecture News, The Guardian, ArchDaily and Designboom, reaching audiences in excess of six million.
For the full suite of media releases read this
